SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Opportunities to gain and share horticultural knowledge are available through University of Missouri Extension's Master Gardener program in Greene County.

The Master Gardener class sessions will be held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting Feb. 19. and running through April 4. The classes will be held at the Botanical Center, 2400 South Scenic, Springfield.

A total of 12 three-hour sessions taught by trained professionals will cover horticulture principles and practices. Ornamentals, turf, vegetables, fruit crops and landscape design are some of the subjects covered through this course.

Master Gardeners assist in horticulture education in the community. Thirty volunteer hours from participants are required the first year after training. Following that, 20 volunteer service hours are required each year to remain an active Master Gardener.

Enrollment for the class is limited and there is a fee of $145 to cover the costs of the program and materials. Persons interested in participating in the Master Gardener program may contact the University of Missouri Extension Center in Springfield at (417) 881-8909 for more information or to register for an orientation session.